Packaging structure for storage / transportation of seedling

Abstract

To enable a long time storage / transportation of seedling for afforestation.SOLUTION: Provided is a packaging structure for storage / transportation of seedling in which a considerable quantity of seedlings 2 are packaged by an interior material 3 for covering the seedling 2 side and an exterior material 1 for covering the outside of the interior material 3 for storage or transportation. The interior material 3 prevents drying by preventing moisture of the seedlings 2 from evaporating, and has waterproofness. The exterior material 1 includes a shading property and a heat insulation property. The interior material 3 and the exterior material 1 are formed by a biodegradable raw material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention mainly relates to a packaging structure for storing and transporting seedlings for forest planting or tree planting, etc.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, forestry seedlings are generally packed and shipped by putting them in a resin net (see Patent Documents 1 and 2) or wrapping them in a muslin or resin non-woven fabric. In recent years, however, methods of transporting seedlings by drone or overhead wire have been under development. In the case of drones or overhead wires, it is necessary to transport a large number of seedlings at once from the perspective of transportation cost. However, when shipped in a conventional net or the like, if the seedlings transported to the planting site are not immediately planted, they will dry out and wither within a few days under the sunlight in the forest land. Since it is laboriously difficult to plant a large number of seedlings in a short period of time, planting cannot be done in time, and the transportation of seedlings by drone or overhead wire is not easily popularized. Although the optimal planting time of seedlings varies by region depending on climate conditions and the like, it is generally from November to December and from March to April, and is concentrated in a short period. For producers, the shipping work is concentrated in a short period and the burden is large, which is a bottleneck for producers in mass-producing seedlings.

[0003] On the other hand, in the case of container seedlings, generally, after wrapping the root balls in units of 10 with a resin film, about 50 in total are put into a resin net and shipped. If these films and nets are left unattended in the forest land after planting, they will become microplastics and cause environmental pollution. Naturally, waste plastics generated in business activities need to be appropriately collected and disposed of as industrial waste.

[0004] Also, those that apply a biodegradable resin film to the surface of the corrugated paper of a pallet using corrugated paper or spray a biodegradable resin material to impart water resistance are known from Patent Document 3 and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the inventions of the above Patent Documents 1 and 2, by closely accommodating a nursery pot for accommodating the roots of seedlings in a pot-shaped container or a cylindrical case, a group of seedlings can be stably packaged and stored and transported. In addition, there are advantages that the packing and the removal of the seedlings are easy. However, since only the foliage part is surrounded by a highly breathable net, as described above, there are disadvantages of drying and withering during transportation, at the forestation site, or during long-term storage in a storage warehouse. In addition, it requires procedures such as the collection and bringing back of resin nets and containers.

[0007] Also, although the cardboard container of Patent Document 3 has water resistance on the outer surface, it cannot prevent the drying of seedlings from the inside, and since it cannot absorb the transpired water from the seedlings and maintain the shape of the container itself, there are disadvantages such as load collapse during transportation and storage.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The packaging structure for storing and transporting seedlings of the present invention for solving the above problems is, firstly, a packaging structure in which a large number of grouped seedlings 2 are packaged with an interior material 3 that covers the side of the seedlings 2 for storage or transportation and an exterior material 1 that covers the outside of the interior material 3. The interior material 3 prevents the transpiration of moisture from the seedlings 2, prevents drying, and has water resistance, and the exterior material 1 has light shielding properties and heat insulating properties.

[0009] Secondly, it is characterized in that both or either one of the interior material 3 and the exterior material 1 is formed of a biodegradable material.

[0010] Thirdly, it is characterized in that the ventilation with the outside is maintained by the material of the interior material 3 and the exterior material 1 themselves or the packaging itself formed by a combination of both, and the structure prevents the temperature of the seedlings 2 from rising due to solar radiation in the forestation area.

[0011] Fourthly, it is characterized in that a buffer material 7 or a spacer 10 is inserted between the exterior material 1 and the interior material 3 that houses the seedlings 2 to form a ventilation layer 8, and the structure is such that heat can easily escape from the ventilation holes 9, 11 provided in the exterior material 1.

[0012] Fifthly, it is characterized in that a cardboard box with a foldable and sealable lid made of cardboard paper is used as the exterior material 1, and a biodegradable plastic material is coated or laminated on the inner surface of the cardboard paper of the box as the interior material 3, and the interior material 3 imparts water resistance to the cardboard paper of the box and reinforces the strength of the box itself.

[0013] Sixthly, it is characterized in that the interior material 3 is a bag made of a biodegradable plastic film that houses a large number of seedlings 2 in a bundled manner and seals them, and the exterior material 1 is a sheet material made of a biodegradable material that covers and packs the outside of the interior material 3 that houses the seedlings 2.

[0014] Seventhly, it is characterized in that the exterior material 1 is made of any one of single-sided cardboard paper, plant-derived fiber material, rush, tatami surface material, single-layer or multi-layer paper products.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the packaging structure of the seedlings of the present invention configured as described above, the following effects can be achieved. (1) When delivering a large number of seedlings in a certain amount for forestation or gardening to the transplantation site over time or storing them for a long time during the process, the interior and exterior materials of the packaging maintain the light-shielding property, heat-insulating (heat-blocking) property, and moisture-retaining property for the seedlings even under solar radiation in the planting area or in a high-temperature or dry environment such as a warehouse, thereby maintaining the soundness of the seedlings from packing and bundling to planting in the forestation area, that is, realizing the sound growth of the seedlings after planting.

[0016] (2) In addition, it has been confirmed that due to the light-shielding property, heat-insulating property, moisture-retaining property, etc. of the packaging structure of the present invention, the root elongation of seedlings is promoted during storage under certain conditions, and the survival rate after transplantation is improved.

[0017] (3) Compared with conventional packaging, it becomes possible to store for a longer time, and a time margin can be obtained from the packing and packaging of seedlings to the planting in the forestation area. Therefore, it is easy to arrange the work schedule for planting and transportation, and it is easy to cope with fluctuations due to weather and the like. Furthermore, it becomes possible to pack and store a large amount of seedlings at once for a long time, and it is possible to handle a large amount at once for the transportation to the site by drone or overhead wire. Since the planting work can be carried out for a longer period than before, the burden on the workers can be reduced and the work can be rationalized.

[0018] (4) By using a biodegradable material for one or both of the interior material and the exterior material, the packaging material can be composted by burying it in the soil at the planting site, can be processed without causing environmental pollution, and labor saving and cost reduction in processing can be achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Figs. 1(A) and (B) show a general cardboard box commonly used as the exterior material 1, in which, for example, about 40 to 100 Japanese cedar container seedlings (seedlings) 2 grown to the shipping standard are packaged and stored with an interior material 3 for heat preservation made of a plastic film. Seal tapes 4 for maintaining strength reinforcement and airtightness are adhered to the butting ends and butting corner parts of the opening / closing lids 1a and 1b of the cardboard paper (exterior material) 1 of the cardboard box. The seedlings 2 are mainly forest tree species such as Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress, and Chinese silvergrass, but the tree species are not limited.

[0021] The cardboard box or cardboard paper as the above exterior material is used for the purpose of protecting the seedlings 2 and maintaining the load appearance, as well as for the purpose of maintaining light shielding properties and heat insulating properties in the afforestation area. The cardboard paper 1 is provided with ventilation holes (not shown) to such an extent that its strength and light shielding properties are not hindered, and it is also possible to prevent the temperature of the seedlings inside the interior material 3 from rising even under the sunlight in the afforestation area. As shown in FIG. 9, when the ventilation holes 9 and 11 are provided in the upper surface or the upper part of the side surface with respect to the ground surface of the exterior material 1, the heat generated in the exterior material 1 can easily escape from the ventilation holes 9 due to the upward airflow.

[0022] The seedlings 2 are those grown in a seedling container generally called a multi-cavity container in which a large number of cylindrical peripheral wall seedling pots are arranged side by side in a rectangular plate shape, and the underground (root) part 2a is maintained in an elongated trapezoidal shape along the shape of the seedling pot. In addition, when the seedling pot is made of a biodegradable material such as plant fiber, it can be planted together at the time of planting.

[0023] The interior material 3 is made of a plastic film sheet material, with a thickness of about 10 to 30 μm (preferably 10 to 25 μm), and is packaged so as to cover the entire above-ground part (branches and leaves) 2b of the nursery stock 2, thereby preventing the nursery stock from withering due to drying of the whole body.

[0024] The thinner the film of the interior material 3 is, the better it is for maintaining the healthy respiration of the nursery stock 2. When it is thick, the air permeability decreases and the oxygen concentration in the interior material 3 decreases, so it is not suitable for long-term storage of the nursery stock 2. A polyethylene film is preferably 10 to 20 μm thick because of its high sealing property and high strength. On the other hand, a biodegradable film is generally low in sealing property and strength, so a film 20 to 30 μm thick and thicker than polyethylene is preferred.

[0025] Also, when transporting or storing the nursery stock 2 over a long distance that requires a long time, in order to prevent the packaged nursery stock from getting musty inside the interior material 3, for the purpose of maintaining a certain air permeability while the interior material 3 itself has waterproofness, it is also possible to provide ventilation holes of about 1 to 5 mm at a predetermined density in the film sheet.

[0026] Furthermore, although general resins such as vinyl sheets may be used as the material of the interior material 3, by using a biodegradable resin, it becomes possible to bury it at the planting site or in its vicinity, eliminating the labor and disposal costs for collection or bringing back and disposing at the planting site.

[0027] Examples of the above biodegradable resins include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS) poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH), polycaprolactone, polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA), polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose acetate, Polyethylene glycol adipate (PGA), and the use of these mixtures is possible.

[0028] Among these, considering, for example, the degradability in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment (compost), an aerobic environment (soil environment), and an anaerobic environment (water environment), it is understood that PHBH, PBS, and PLA are appropriate in this order. Since PHBH alone does not have high strength, it is preferable to mix it with PBS and form a film.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cardboard paper (outer packaging material 1) constituting the cardboard box. In this example, an example is shown in which the biodegradable resin sheet is pasted on the inner liner surface of the cardboard paper or coated by spraying the resin material or wax-resin.

[0030] By directly forming the inner packaging material 3 on the inner surface of the outer packaging material 1 in this way to impart water resistance and waterproofness, it is possible to prevent the outer packaging material itself from absorbing water and collapsing or disintegrating, and it is also possible to omit the packaging with the resin-made bag-shaped inner packaging material 3 described above. Such surface treatment of the cardboard paper may be applied to both sides. When providing ventilation holes in the cardboard paper, it is desirable to set the hole diameter and hole density (or the number of holes) to such an extent that the seedlings 2 inside do not dry out.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows another example of the cardboard box. In this example, an example of a foldable handle-equipped packaging box having the same structure as the packaging box generally used as a carry-out case for cakes sold at stores is shown. It can be laid down horizontally during transportation, and the rest is the same as the examples described above shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0032] Figure 4 shows the packaging structure of the bundling type. In this example, as the outer packaging material 1, a plant-made sheet material woven from straw, rush, or the like, such as a mat, a rice straw mat, or a tatami mat, is used. As other sheet materials, single-layer or multi-layer papers or single-sided corrugated cardboard with a liner attached only to one side of the core with a corrugated cross-section can be used. In addition, since the outer packaging material 1 of the sheet material has a simpler structure than the box-shaped outer packaging material 1, the material cost can be reduced.

[0033] In the above-mentioned packaging structure of the bundling type, as described above, about 40 to 100 seedlings 2 are previously housed and packaged in an inner packaging material 3 made of a bag-shaped resin film, and the outer packaging material 1 is wound around the outside and further tightened and tied with a tightening cord 6. Therefore, more seedlings can be transported and stored by the amount of tightening compared to the case of housing and packaging in the corrugated cardboard box described above.

[0034] When using single-sided corrugated cardboard as the outer packaging material 1 of this bundling type, for water resistance and shape retention, as shown in Figure 5, it is desirable to attach or laminate a resin sheet to the liner surface on one side, or to apply or impregnate a resin paint to form a waterproof layer 3'. And it is also desirable that the material of these waterproof layers is a biodegradable resin.

[0035] The point that it is desirable to use a biodegradable resin for the inner packaging material 3 in the cases shown in Figures 4 and 5 is the same as in the case of the above-mentioned example. In addition to using a biodegradable material such as a plant material for the above-mentioned outer packaging material 1, by using phosphated starch (phosphorylated starch, phosphoric acid cross-linked starch, phosphoric acid monoester cross-linked starch, etc.) as the adhesive for the corrugated cardboard, these can be buried in the soil of the mountain forest to contribute to fertilizer provision and growth promotion for the seedlings. Incidentally, even if the above-mentioned packaging materials and waste plastics are biodegradable materials, if they are collected and taken home, they are likely to be regarded as industrial waste, so they are also superior compared to waste disposal.

[0036] Since cellophane tape decomposes in the soil in a short period of time, it is preferable to use cellophane tape for the sealing tape 4 and the tightening cord 6 described above.

[0037] When the exterior material 1 and the interior material 3 are in close contact, heat hardly escapes from the ventilation holes. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, it is desirable to insert a breathable cushioning material 7 between the exterior material 1 and the interior material 3, or to form a sufficient ventilation layer 8 between the exterior material 1 and the interior material 3 by using the folded piece formed by cutting a part of the peripheral wall of the cardboard box (cardboard paper = exterior material 1) as a spacer 10.

[0038] Through this ventilation layer 8, the heat transmitted from the exterior material 1 to the interior material 3 generated by solar radiation in the planting area can be escaped to the outside through the ventilation holes 9 provided in the exterior material 1 by the air flow, and the temperature rise of the seedlings can be minimized. It is preferable to use a biodegradable material such as paper or cotton as the cushioning material 7. For example, an expansion sheet (not shown) in the form of a mesh sheet in which slits are made in a zigzag pattern on a paper sheet and elastically stretched, and the slits are formed in a diamond or tortoise shell shape is used. Thereby, the air circulation in the ventilation layer 8 inside the box can be efficiently ensured.

[0039] The ventilation holes 9 are provided on the upper surface with respect to the ground surface of the exterior material 1. In addition, it is preferable to provide ventilation holes 11 for the purpose of intake at the lower part on the ground surface side of the exterior material 1 in order to take in outside air. With these structures, it is easier to escape heat from the ventilation holes 9 by the air flow.

[0040] If the interior material 3 is filled with oxygen necessary for the respiration of the seedlings at a predetermined concentration, or an oxygen-releasing agent is placed in advance, the soundness of the seedlings can be enhanced.

[0041] When the root elongation of the seedlings 2 is suppressed inside the interior material 3, it is advisable to fill the interior material 3 with ethylene gas at a predetermined concentration, or to spray the seedlings 2 with an aqueous solution of ethephon, which is an ethylene-generating agent, before sealing the seedlings 2 in the interior material 3.

[0042] When it is desired to promote the root elongation of the seedlings 2 inside the interior material 3, it is advisable to enclose an ethylene absorbent in the interior material 3.

[0043] Figures 6 to 8 show the experimental results for the evaluation of the packaging structure of the present invention. Figure 6 shows a comparison data table of the case where the conventional net is covered and wrapped with a polyethylene film, and the packaging structures A (only contained in a cardboard box), B (contained in a cardboard box and wrapped with a 40-μm-thick polyethylene film), C (similarly contained in a cardboard box and wrapped with a 17-μm-thick polyethylene film), and D (similarly contained in a cardboard box and wrapped with a 22-μm-thick biodegradable resin film) stored in the dark at 23°C for 30 days.

[0044] According to the table in Figure 6, the conventional method and Structure A show mortality rates of 100% and 45% respectively, Structure B has 72% necrotic spots, and those with a 100% soundness rate are limited to Structure C and Structure D. In Structure B, since the film was 40 μm thick and had low air permeability, necrotic spots occurred.

[0045] Figures 7 and 8 are a photograph showing the soundness degree and a graph showing the sound states of the above-ground part and the underground part of the results of cultivating cedar container seedlings in an artificial weather chamber at five temperature levels of 20°C, 30°C, 35°C, 40°C, and 45°C for 72 hours (3 days) using the packaging shown in Figures 1 and 2, transplanting them in a glass greenhouse, and excavating and investigating them 29 days later.

[0046] According to Figures 7 and 8, it can be seen that there are no major abnormalities in the appearance in the range of 20°C to 35°C, and significant damage is received during storage at 40°C and 45°C. Among them, it was also found that storage at 30°C has a positive effect on the growth as the root elongation is large after planting.

[0047] In addition to the above, when bare seedlings of cedar and hinoki are sealed with a biodegradable film having a thickness of 17 μm and air permeability in a room at 20°C for 3 weeks, the roots grow visibly during storage, and the survival rate in the forest land is improved. By sealing with the film of the interior material 3 having an appropriate temperature for the growth of trees and the required air permeability for the seedlings for a predetermined period and storing the seedlings in a warehouse or the like in advance before shipment, the survival rate of the seedlings can be improved.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0048] 1 Exterior material 2 Seedling 3 Interior material 7 Buffer material 8 Ventilation layer 9, 11 Ventilation holes 10 Spacer

Claims

1. A packaging structure for packaging a large number of bundled seedlings (2) for storage or transportation, which is packaged with an interior material (3) covering the seedlings (2) side for storage or transportation and an exterior material (1) covering the outside of the interior material (3), wherein the interior material (3) prevents the evaporation of moisture from the seedlings (2) to prevent drying and has water resistance, and the exterior material (1) has light shielding properties and heat insulation properties. A packaging structure for storing and transporting seedlings.

2. The packaging structure for storing and transporting seedlings according to claim 1, wherein both or either one of the interior material (3) and the exterior material (1) is formed of a biodegradable material.

3. The packaging structure for storing and transporting seedlings according to claim 1, which is structured to maintain air permeability with the outside through the packaging itself made of the material of the interior material (3) and the exterior material (1) or a combination of both, and to prevent the temperature of the seedlings (2) from rising due to solar radiation at the afforestation site.

4. The packaging structure for storing and transporting seedlings according to claim 3, wherein a buffer material (7) or a spacer (10) is inserted between the exterior material (1) and the interior material (3) that houses the seedlings (2) to form a ventilation layer (8), and the structure is such that heat can easily escape through the ventilation holes (9), (11) provided in the exterior material (1).

5. The packaging structure for storing and transporting seedlings according to claim 1, wherein a cardboard box with a foldable and sealable lid made of cardboard paper is used as the exterior material (1), and a biodegradable plastic material is coated or laminated on the inner surface of the cardboard paper of the box as the interior material (3), and the interior material (3) imparts water resistance to the cardboard paper of the box and reinforces the strength of the box itself.

6. The packaging structure for storing and transporting seedlings according to claim 1, wherein the interior material (3) is a biodegradable plastic film that houses a large number of seedlings (2) in a bundled manner and seals them, and the exterior material (1) is a sheet material made of a biodegradable material that covers and packages the outside of the above-mentioned interior material (3) that houses the seedlings (2).

7. The packaging structure for storing and transporting seedlings according to claim 6, wherein the exterior material (1) is made of any one of single-sided cardboard paper, plant-derived fiber materials such as rush, tatami surface materials, and single-layer or multi-layer paper products.

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